Probably only available to Aussies under Amazon Australia for the bargain price of $650. Thanks again, Gerry Harvey!

Why is it Gerry's fault that Amazon can't program a simple sales tax into its website infrastructure? Goodness knows ebay is getting their site ready and these companies have known the sales tax was coming for years.

As far as I understand we can use Amazon US until the start of July when the new tax laws take effect. I don't see the problem with putting in a pre-order before then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaptoDog

Why is it Gerry's fault that Amazon can't program a simple sales tax into its website infrastructure? Goodness knows ebay is getting their site ready and these companies have known the sales tax was coming for years.

I think it's more to the point that Amazon don't see it as worth their effort. I don't remember the numbers but their Australian business through the US site makes up a % or less of their business. and it's not just the programming of the sales tax, it's the management and reporting and returning of those dollars to the Australian Government.
Amazon probably sees development of the Australian store/site as being a better way to make money overall.

I think it's more to the point that Amazon don't see it as worth their effort. I don't remember the numbers but their Australian business through the US site makes up a % or less of their business. and it's not just the programming of the sales tax, it's the management and reporting and returning of those dollars to the Australian Government.
Amazon probably sees development of the Australian store/site as being a better way to make money overall.

Yes they are using this as the perfect excuse to drive take-up of the AU site. I know for a fact that Amazon launched here last year because the sales tax threshold was being abolished (as was told to me by a former Amazon executive that reported directly to Bezos).

I'm just a little tired of this false narrative that the local retailers are to blame for Amazon's actions. One of the many large multinationals that actively avoids paying our local corporate taxes while domestic retailers and other businesses pay the full 30%.

Anyway at this stage Amazon do not seem to have ruled out people buying from Amazon US and having it delivered to a US freight forwarder (I use MYUS). If you buy enough stuff the cost difference between having it shipped direct vs by a forwarder is usually insignificant. That's from someone that has bought plenty from Amazon US, Disney store etc.